Instrument case



Apri| l1, 1967 s. B. CARROLL 3,

INSTRUMENT CASE Filed Oct. 18, 1965 ZSheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR 2 rSHIRLEY B- CARROLL BY BGMW v ATTORNEYA;

April 11, 1967 s. B. CARROLL INSTRUMENT CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct.18, 1965 SHIRLEY B. CARROLL ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,313,101 INSTRUMENT CASE Shirley B. Carroll, Box372, Narrows, Va. 24124 Filed Oct. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 497,109 Claims.(Cl. 58ll05) This invention relates to instrument cases generally,

and more particularly to a new and improved instrument case for watches,compasses and similar instruments.

"In many instances, it is impossible for a person to wear a wrist watch,wrist compass, or other instrument of the type which is normally wornexternally. The environmental conditions prevalent with many forms ofendeavor, such as, for example, certain vocations, sports activities,etc., make it impossible for a participant to safe- 1y wear or carry aninstrument externally. However, many people are reluctant to carrypocket watches or pocket instruments due to the damage risks involved.

In recent times, a great need has arisen for an efiicient instrumentcase which would facilitate the safe, damagefree maintenance of aninstrument carried randomly within a pocket, purse, or similar containerby a person. Ideally, such a casing should provide easy access to theinstrument mounted therein, but conversely should prevent accidentalexposure of such instrument when the casing latch is not intentionallyactuated.

In the past, many casing structures have been designed for theprotection of a watch, compass, or similar instrument. Many of thesecasings are employed only during the shipment and display of theinstrument, and are of no useful benefit once the instrument is placedin use. Such casings are therefore subsequently discarded. Otherinstrument casings, although suited for protecting an instrument undervarious use conditions, are not designed to provide easy access to theinstrument or to prevent accidental exposure thereof. For example, manyof such casings include a latching unit which is activated by inwardpressure toward the casing, and such units are often accidentallyactivated within the pocket of user or when the casing is dropped orsubjected to shock. Additionally, many of the latch mechanisms employedwith such casings cannot be easily activated, and require the use of twohands by the user with a large expenditure of time and effort before theinstrument is exposed.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a novel and improvedinstrument case of simple construction designed to provide enhancedprotection for a watch, compass, or a similar instrument.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and improvedinstrument case which is not subject to accidental opening. throughimpact or frictional contact.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel and improvedinstrument case incorporating an improved latch construction whichfacilitates rapid opening or closing of the case by a user employingonly a single hand.

Another object of this inevntion is to provide a novel and improvedinstrument case incorporating an improved latch construction whichpermits a user to easily open the case with either the right or the lefthand.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel and improvedinstrument case incorporating a novel instrument shock-resistantmounting structure capable of absorbing shock in all directions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and improvedinstrument case having an improved latch structure which also functionsas a shock-resistant mount for an instrument.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel and improvedinstrument case incorporating an improved latch structure which isoperated by closing the case cover .a watch, compass, or similarinstrument.

3,313,191 Patented Apr. 11, 1967 pended claims, certain embodiments indetails of con struction of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned plan view of the instrument case of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned view in side elevation I p of theinvention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the latch unit employed in the inventionof FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the housing for the latch assembly. ofthe invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partially sectioned perspective view of an embodiment ofthe'invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned plan view of an embodiment of theinvention of FIG. 1; and.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a connecting bar employed in theembodiment of FIG. 6.

Basically, the novel instrument case of the present invention is formedby a casing base which, in combination with a casing cover pivotallysecured thereto to form a closure member, provides a shock-resistantenclosure for The casing base includes an improved latch assembly whichmaybe moved along the periphery of the casing thereof to release thecasing cover but which resists accidental actuation and cover releaseupon impact. Such latch assembly may also function as a shock resistantinstrument mount.

The improved structure of the present invention may best be understoodby reference to the accompanying drawings wherein the instrument caseindicated generally at 10 includes a cup-shaped casing base 12 whichcooperates with a casing cover 14 to form an enclosed central chamber16. The casing cover 14 is pivotally mounted for movement toward andaway from the casing base 12 by a spring loaded hinge 18. This springloaded hinge may be formed by any hinge of conventional constructionwhich is operative to bias the cover 14 toward an open position, asshown in FIG. 1, away from the casing base 12.

The inner surface of the casing cover 14 is provided with twodiametrically opposed grooves 20 and 22 formed adjacent the peripheraledge of the casing cover. Grooves 20 and 22 operate in combination witha casing latch in a manner to be subsequently described to lock thecasing cover 14 in a closed position against the casing base 12.

Opposed rectangular solts 24 and 26 are cut through the sides of thecasing base 12 on opposite sides thereof.

These slots are formed with upwardly projecting shoulders 28 and 30 atthe outer ends thereof and similar shoulders 3-2 and 34 at the innerends to retain but per- .mit lateral movement of a latch assemblyindicated generally at 36 within each of the slots 24 and 26. A

from either side Mounted for limited movement within the central chamberof the housing 38 is a latch 46 having an upper leg 48 and a lower leg58 which extend in substantially parallel relationship from a connectingweb 52. A rectangular to 54 is formed through the upper leg of the latch46 and is designed to receive a pin 56 which extends into the chamber 40from the housing 3 8. The pin 56 retains the latch within the housing,but the slot 54 permits the latch to move laterally within the housing.When the housing 38 is in place within the slots 24 and 26, an outer end58 of the upper leg of the latch 46 extends outwardly beyond theconfines of the housing, as illustrated in'FIGS. 1 and 2. The latch isbiased to normally maintainthe end 58 of the upper leg in this outwardlyprojecting position by a leaf spring 66 which is positioned behind thelatch within the housing.

The leaf spring 60 is positioned within the housing 38 between the latch46 and a mounting bar 62 which is secured to a watch or other instrument64 to be mounted within the casing 10. This mounting bar is insertedinto the. housing at the end opposite the actuator knob 44,

and to enhance shock resistance, this end of the housing may be providedwith a groove 66 extending about the inner surface of the housing toprovide a seat for a shockresistant mounting pad 68. The shock-'.:sistant mounting pad may be formed from rubber cork, or similarshock-resistant material, and although such pad is designed to hold themounting bar 62 within the central chamber of the housing 38, the pad isdimensioned to permit longitudinal movement of the mounting bar relativeto the housing. It may, therefore, be noted that the leaf spring 60tends to force the latch 46 and the mounting bar 62 outwardly from thehousing 38.

When identical latch assemblies 36 are mounted within the slots 24 and26, the housings 38 thereof are free to slide along slots between theshoulders 28, 30, 32 and 34, and the actuator knobs 44 move along thecasing base 12 in the slots 24a and 26a. Normally, the housings 38 aremaintained in a' central position within the slots 24 and 26 by opposingleaf springs 70 and 7 2. These opposing leaf springs are positionedwithin the slots 24 and 26 on either side of the housings 38.

In the operation of the instrument case 10, the housings 38 of the latchassemblies 36 are maintained centrally positioned within the slots 24and 26 by the leaf springs 70 and 72. The leaf springs 60, Within thehousings 38, bias the opposed latches 46 outwardly from the casing baseso that the ends 58 of the latches extend beyond the outer extremity ofthe housing above the actuator knob 44.

When the casing cover 14 is moved to a closed position against thecasing base 12, additional tension is applied to the spring hinge 18.Also, as the cover is moved to the closed position, the edge surfaces ofthe cover adjacent the slots and 22 engage the outer ends 58 of thelatches 46 and force the latches inwardly of the casing base into thehousings 38 against the bias of the leaf springs 60. The slots 54 in thelatches permit sliding movement of the latches about the pins 56, andwhen the cover 14 moves to a position where the slots 20 and 22 arealigned with the ends 58 of the latches, the leaf springs 60 move thelatches outwardly to permit the ends thereof to enter the slots 20 and22, and securely lock the cover against the casing base 12.

With the cover 14 in the closed, locked position, theinstrument 64 iscompletely protected by the instrument case 10 from damage which mightresult from shock or vibration applied to the instrument case. springs60 press outwardly against the mounting bars 62 for the instrument, andabsorb shock forces which result in movement of the mounting barsinwardly or outwardly of the housings 38. Additionally, the mountingpads.

68 within the housings pad the mounting bars 62v and absorb shock in theremaining directions.

When the instrument case 10 is closed and locked, the

The latch v 'of accidental opening. The case is not opened by inwardmovement of the actuator knobs 44, for the actuator knobs are integralwith the housings 38 which in turn are precluded from inward movementrelative to the casing base 12 by the shoulders 28, 30, 32, and 34.Although these shoulders permit the housings 3-8 to move laterallywithin the slots 24 and 26 against the bias of the springs 70 and 72,accidental movement of the housings is prevented by positioning theactuator knobs 44 within the slots 24a and 26a. Thus the actuator knobsare maintained within the peripheral confines of the casing base 12 andtherefore are not subject to accidental snagging or movement throughfrictional contact with surfaces which the case may touch.

The instrument case 10 may be easily and rapidly unlached by the userthrough the use of only one hand by pressure applied by the thumb orfinger of either the left or right hand to an actuator knob 44 of eitherof the opposed latch assemblies 36. During the unlatching. operation,the case 10 may rest in the hand of the user, and the hand employed tounlatch the case will determine whether the actuator knob 44 of thehousing 38 con- I tained in the slot 26 will be activated or whether theconnected for simultaneous movement by the mounting.

bars 62 and the instrument 64.

To operate either of the latch assemblies 36, the actuator knob 44thereof may be moved in either direction along the casing base from thecentral position illustrated in FIG. 1. As one latch assembly 36 movesin one direction about the periphery of the case 10, the opposite latchassembly moves about the periphery of the case in the oppositedirection. This movement of the latch assemblies moves the projectingends 58 of the latches 46 until these ends move out away from the endsof the slots 20 and 22. When the ends 58 of the latches reach theterminal portions of the slots 20 and 22, the latches are forced backinto the housings 38 against the bias of the leaf springs 60. At thesame time, the bias exerted upon the casing cover 14 by the spring hinge18 causes the cover to snap to the open position illustrated in FIG. 1.Once the cover has opened, the actuator knob 44 may be released and thelatch assemblies 36 will be returned to the central position by the leafsprings 70 and 72, so that the cover may be subsequently moved again tothe closed and latched position.

The structure of the instrument case 10 may be modified in variousmanners to adapt the case for use with instruments of different types.For example, the case may be made in various shapes and sizes, as maythe housings 38 and the mounting bars 62. Also, the mounting bars 62 maybe secured directly to the instrument 64 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2by any suitable means, or other means for removably connecting theinstrument to the mounting bars may be employed. This is aptlyillustrated by FIG. 5, which shows a modification for mounting aconventional wrist watch within the instrument case 10. To mount a wristwatch, the mounting bars'62 may be provided with an opening 74 extendingthrough the mounting bar at the end adjacent the instrument. Thisopening is designed to receive the conventional mounting pin 76 whichextends between projections 78 generally formed on most wrist watches tocooperate with the pin 76 in attaching a watch strap to the watch. Thepin 76 may be secured to the projections 78 in the normal manner toattach the mounting bars 62 to the watch 64. The mounting bars are theninserted into the housings 38 and function in the manner previouslydescribed.

Also as indicated by FIG. 5, the latch-46 of FIG. 3

leg 48 having the end 58 extending outwardly from the casing 38 abovethe actuator knob 44, but the connecting Web 52 and lower leg 50 of FIG.3 are replaced by a U-shaped spring section 80 connected to the upperleg 48. The spring section 80 of the latch may be formed integrally withthe upper leg 48, and may comprise spring metal or similar material.This spring section operates in a manner identical to the spring 60 ofFIG. 2, and biases 'both the mounting bar 62 and the latch 46 outwardlyfrom the housing 38. V

In some instances, it may not be desirable for the instrument 64 torotate within the instrument case upon actuation of latch assemblies 36,but instead it may be preferable for the instrument to be immovablymounted within the instrument case. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the innersurface of the casing base 12 may be provided with cutout portions 82designed to receive the mounting bars 62 which are attached to theinstrument 64. These cutout portions operate as mounting seats for themounting bars 62, and may be lined with shock-absorbing material asindicated at 84 to provide a shock-resistant mount for the instrument64.

With the instrument 64 mounted in an immovable shock-absorbing mount,additional means must be provided to interconnect the opposed latchassemblies 36. This connecting means is illustrated in FIG. 7, andincludes a connecting bar 86 arcuately formed to conform to the innerconfiguration of the casing base 12. Secured to each end of theconnecting bar 86 are laterally projecting studs 88 which are designedto replace the mounting bars 62 of FIGS. 1 and 2, and fit into the endsof the housings 38 of the latch assemblies on either side of the casingbase.

To prevent the connecting bar 86 from interfering with the instrumentmounted in the case 10, the inner surface of the casing base 12 may beprovided with a groove indicated at 92 which receives the connectingbar. The connecting bar is in turn provided with a slot 90 whichreceives one of the mounting bars 62. This slot permits the connectingbar 86 to move about the inner periphery of the casing base 12 withinthe slot 92 when either of the actuator knobs 44 is activated.

The operation of the instrument case of FIG. 6 is similar to thatpreviously described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 with the exceptionthat the instrument 64 does not move relative to the casing base 12 uponactuation of an actuator knob 44. Instead, when the actuator knob ismoved causing corresponding movement of one of the latch assemblies 36,the connecting bar 86 causes a corresponding movement in the oppositedirection of the remaining latch assembly. Otherwise, the latchassemblies of FIG. 6 operate in a manner identical to that previouslydescribed.

It will be readily apparent to'those skilled in the art that the presentinvention provides a novel and improved instrument case which provideseffective protection to a watch, compass, or similar instrument, andwhich may easily be operated by a user. The arrangement and types ofcomponents utilized within this invention may be subject to numerousmodifications while within the purview of this inventor who intends onlyto be limited to a liberal interpretation of the specification and theappended claims.

I claim:

1. An improved instrument case comprising casing base means, casingcover means attached to said casing base means and adapted to engagesaid casing base means to form an enclosed inner chamber, said casingcover means including fixed latch receiving means, and latch meansmounted on said casing base means for engagement With said latchreceiving means, said latch means being mounted for limited movementalong the periphery of said casing base to permit disengagement thereofwith said latch receiving means.

2. The improved instrument case of claim 1 wherein said latch meansincludes two latch assemblies mounted on opposite sides of said casingbase means, and means interconnecting said latch assemblies forsimultaneous Y movement.

and adapted to engage said casing base means to form an enclosed innerchamber, said casing cover means including fixed latch receiving means,mounting means connected between said instrument and said casing basemeans, said mounting means being adapted to mount said instrument withinsaid inner chamber, and latch means mounted on said casing base meansfor engagement with said latch receiving means, said latch meansincluding two latch assemblies mounted on opposite sides of said casingbase means for limited movement along the periphery thereof and meansinterconnecting said latch assemblies for simultaneous movement topermit disengagement of said latch means with said latch receivingmeans.

4. The improved instrument case of claim 3 wherein said mounting meansincludes mounting units connected to said instrument and extendinglaterally therefrom, receiving means provided upon said base forreceiving said mounting units, said receiving means being adapted toprovide a shook-absorbing seat for said mounting units.

5. The improved instrument case of claim 4 wherein said meansinterconnecting said latch assemblies comprises a connecting bar securedto each of said latch assemblies and extending therebetween about theperiphery of said inner chamber.

'6. An improve-d instrument case for mounting a small, pocket-sizedinstrument comprising casing base means, casing cover means adapted toengage said casing base means to form an enclosed inner chamber, saidcasing cover means including fixed latch receiving means, connectingmeans mounting said cover means upon said casing base means for movementtoward and away from said casing base means, and combined latch andshook mount means movably mounted on said casing base means forengagement with said latch receiving means, said combined latch andshock mount means including two latch assemblies mounted on oppositesides of said casing base means for limited movement along the peripherythereof to permit disengagement of said latch assemblies with said latchreceiving means. a

7. The improved instrument case of claim 6 wherein each said latchassembly includes a housing enclosing a central chamber with openings atboth ends thereof, actu ator means secured to one end of said housingand extending outwardly therefrom, a latch unit movably mounted withinsaid central chamber of said housing and extending outwardly therefromthrough the opening adjacent said actuator means, a mounting unitsecured to said instrument and received within the opening of saidhousing opposite to said actuator means, and biasing means within saidhousing to bias said latch unit and mounting unit outwardly therefrom.

8. The improved instrument case of claim 7 wherein said casing base isprovided with elongated openings extending through opposite sidesthereof, said openings being adapted to receive and permit movement ofsaid latch assembly housings along the periphery of said casing base,and biasing means mounted within said openings to .bias said housings toa central position within said openings.

9. The improved instrument case of claim 8 wherein said connecting meansbetween said casing base and casing cover pivotally mounts said casingcover upon said casing base and biases said cover away from contact withsaid casing base.

10. An improved instrument case for mounting a small pocket-sizedinstrument comprising casing base means, casing cover means connected tosaid casing base means 7. and adapted to engage said casing base meansto form an enclosed inner chamber, said casing cover means includingfixed latch receiving means, and combined latch and instrument mountingmeans movably mounted on opposite sides of said casing base for limitedmovement along the periphery thereof, each said latch and instrumentmounting means including a latch unit for engagement with said latchreceiving means, said latch unit being movable With the latch andinstrument mounting means along the periphery of said casing base topermit disengagement thereof with said latch receiving means, and aninstrument mounting unit connected to said instrument and mounting saidinstrument within said inner chamber in spaced relationship to saidcasing base, said instrument mounting unit being movable with said latchunit and operative With said instrument upon movement of one of Noreferences cited.

10 RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.

M. L. LORCH, Assistant Examiner.

10. AN IMPROVED INSTRUMENT CASE FOR MOUNTING A SMALL POCKET-SIZEDINSTRUMENT COMPRISING CASING BASE MEANS, CASING COVER MEANS CONNECTED TOSAID CASING BASE MEANS AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID CASING BASE MEANS TOFORM AN ENCLOSED INNER CHAMBER, SAID CASING COVER MEANS INCLUDING FIXEDLATCH RECEIVING MEANS, AND COMBINED LATCH AND INSTRUMENT MOUNTING MEANSMOVABLY MOUNTED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID CASING BASE FOR LIMITEDMOVEMENT ALONG THE PERIPHERY THEREOF, EACH SAID LATCH AND INSTRUMENTMOUNTING MEANS INCLUDING A LATCH UNIT FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID LATCHRECEIVING MEANS, SAID LATCH UNIT BEING MOVABLE WITH THE LATCH ANDINSTRUMENT MOUNTING MEANS ALONG THE PERIPHERY OF SAID CASING BASE TOPERMIT DISENGAGEMENT THEREOF WITH SAID LATCH RECEIVING MEANS, AND ANINSTRUMENT MOUNTING UNIT CONNECTED TO SAID INSTRUMENT AND MOUNTING SAIDINSTRUMENT WITHIN SAID INNER CHAMBER IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO SAIDCASING BASE, SAID INSTRUMENT MOUNTING UNIT BEING MOVABLE WITH SAID LATCHUNIT AND OPERATIVE WITH SAID INSTRUMENT UPON MOVEMENT OF ONE OF SAIDLATCH AND INSTRUMENT MOUNTING MEANS TO CAUSE SIMULTANEOUS MOVEMENT OFTHE REMAINING LATCH AND INSTRUMENT MOUNTING MEANS.